Meta

I don't really know anything about Gamecock Country, but I was at a karate graduation in this building recently, and thought it must have originally been something else. A bit of googling shows that the building has apparently changed hands twice in the last two years. Google also suggests that Gamecock Country was a sporting goods store.

UPDATE 6 Sep 2009: Added Smith's Hardware to post title based on the comments.

Originally they were on the other side of the street at the end of the block where Rockaways is in the late 90s. They also used to advertised a lot on local sports talk radio.

I went to both locations a couple of times. They specialized in USC related merchandize, much like the Jewelry Warehouse, except they had a more varied selection, but higher prices. The last time I can remember going in there was after USC won its first NIT Championship. I was rather shocked to learn that they were not selling anything to commemorate it! (At least the JW had some t-shirts.)

This building was the new rebuilt Smith's Hardware after a fire destroyed the original. It closed after a few years then Gamecock Country appreared.

Capital Karate is run by a former soldier named Mike Banks. They were on Millwood but the building was falling down around them and the landlord would not help out, so they moved over here. Mike and all of his staff are terrific with kids of all ages.